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[NavyHoldi99]

Coming out was the good part! Going back in...now that was another story!

[Already Bald]

Hey all...thanks for all the great words of encouragement! It's weird to think that two weeks have gone by since my surgery. For those that don't know...I was discharged from the hospital Wednesday night...so I had almost a 9 day stay in the hospital. I've just been hanging out at the house taking it easy...chillin' with my Irish friend...Perc O'Cet. I'm sure some of you have made his aqcuaintance!

I'm not going to lie...the recovery was harder than I was expecting. I wasn't in a lot of pain or anything...just the waiting game for the bowels to wake up was torture...especially since I wasn't supposed to have any water (yeah...I cheated. I admit it). I did a lot of walking around the ward so I know that helped a little. The other crummy thing was just the general feeling of bloatedness.

The docs actually removed my NG tube the morning of Friday the 8th. I was pretty excited about that...but as the day went on...I could tell something wasn't right. I kept feeling larger and larger and I wasn't even really drinking anything (much). That night I was in a lot of discomfort...and asked to put the NG tube back in. I will submit that was the worst experience in my life. It took 4 tries to get the sucker back in. Finally...the last try...they got an intern from general surgery to do it and it was actually bearable. But the first three tries were excruciating. Twice it came back out the mouth and once it went down the trachea, I think. But it was worth it in the end because I felt a ton better. For future reference...MAKE SURE the docs are absolutely sure it is time for the NG tube to come out!

The preliminary word from my docs about the pathology is there was both teratoma and some active cancer but I don't have the numbers. I meet on Friday with the urologist who did the surgery and then I'll meet with my oncologist after that. I'll keep you posted with the results.

Thanks again for the support...both here and on my caringbridge website! Andrea and I appreciate you all! See you around!

Wow Brett,
I can't even imagine the agony of that NG tube coming out your mouth- I bet that pain cut right through the percs. I was lucky, mine was removed in recovery while I was still out.
Your appetite will return, just try to avoid fatty foods for a while.

[Margaret]

We are pulling for you brett!

[Fed]

Brett,
It's great to have you back here and even better to hear that you are on the mend. I, like others, was following your progress on your CaringBridge site, and I was very glad to hear that everything has been working out quite well. Hopefully you were able to have a decent Father's Day yesterday with your kids and Andrea. I'm sure that you will be in tip-top shape once it's time to head over to Austin for the LIVESTRONG Challenge! Best to you and your family, and welcome back.

[NavyHoldi99]

I'm Back!

Hey all...thanks for all the great words of encouragement! It's weird to think that two weeks have gone by since my surgery. For those that don't know...I was discharged from the hospital Wednesday night...so I had almost a 9 day stay in the hospital. I've just been hanging out at the house taking it easy...chillin' with my Irish friend...Perc O'Cet. I'm sure some of you have made his aqcuaintance!

I'm not going to lie...the recovery was harder than I was expecting. I wasn't in a lot of pain or anything...just the waiting game for the bowels to wake up was torture...especially since I wasn't supposed to have any water (yeah...I cheated. I admit it). I did a lot of walking around the ward so I know that helped a little. The other crummy thing was just the general feeling of bloatedness.

The docs actually removed my NG tube the morning of Friday the 8th. I was pretty excited about that...but as the day went on...I could tell something wasn't right. I kept feeling larger and larger and I wasn't even really drinking anything (much). That night I was in a lot of discomfort...and asked to put the NG tube back in. I will submit that was the worst experience in my life. It took 4 tries to get the sucker back in. Finally...the last try...they got an intern from general surgery to do it and it was actually bearable. But the first three tries were excruciating. Twice it came back out the mouth and once it went down the trachea, I think. But it was worth it in the end because I felt a ton better. For future reference...MAKE SURE the docs are absolutely sure it is time for the NG tube to come out!

The preliminary word from my docs about the pathology is there was both teratoma and some active cancer but I don't have the numbers. I meet on Friday with the urologist who did the surgery and then I'll meet with my oncologist after that. I'll keep you posted with the results.

Thanks again for the support...both here and on my caringbridge website! Andrea and I appreciate you all! See you around!

[Scott]

Brett, I've been following the posts at your CaringBridge site. I hope you continue to rest and recover quickly!

[justinsmom]

something besides cancer in common

Just replied to your private message about Justin's arm paralysis after his surgery-sorry again that I didn't see it soon enough to alleviate any anxiety-I will check the caringbridge site...."to make you feel loved"....hey don't all of us feel each other's love one way or another just because this disease connects us for life?.....BTW my cousin just retired from the Navy (Captain Bruce Fecht VX-9) also flew F/A-18E Super Hornet out of Lemoore, Cali. he led 1st strike to Kabul after 911...(he was also an extra in "Top Gun")...sorry but I had to brag on him!!!! Plus it gives you something to read while you're recuperating...Hopefully you have a computer in the hospital & can communicate to others on here any questions regarding your recuperation....God Bless, & may your "flying days" resume soon....
Lanette <><

[Margaret]

I just know everything is going to go great today....sending love from NC...and for Andrea, hang in there and if you need someone to talk to for support, let us know!!

Margaret

[Fed]

I know you're going to be fine but make sure you do something extra nice for your wife. The co-survivor side of cancer is awful.

This is huge. As cancer patients, we cannot lose sight of the impact the disease has on our loved ones. I saw your CaringBridge page yesterday, and you have a beautiful family. When you feel up for it, like dadmo said, treat your wife and the kids (and yourself) to plenty of family time. It is in times like these that you appreciate further how lucky you are to have your loved ones around you.

[mstlyn]

Just wanted to bump my post and give you all a quick update. I'm heading in for my RPLND in the morning...a 0530 showtime. They have it slated for 6.5 hours...so it should be a good time for all!

I have a caringbridge website set up that my wife, Andrea, will update tomorrow when she gets the chance. Feel free to swing by and see what the good word is! If nothing else...hit refresh a few times in a row to bump the total number of hits up and make me feel loved!

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brettholdiman

Take care and see you this weekend!

I'm out!

Hey Brett,

Good to see you're heading to surgery.

You've got a nice cheering section on the forum too!

I'll be checking your site to see how you are doing..

My best to you and your family.

Prayers & Hugs,
Tammy

[dadmo]

Good luck today. I was just thinking that you might be getting worked on as I write. I know you're going to be fine but make sure you do something extra nice for your wife. The co-survivor side of cancer is awful.

[Karen]

Good luck today...we're all pulling for you !!!!!!

[fuse929]

Your attitude going into this is incredible to me. I think it's inspirational to everyone on this forum who has been following your story to see how confident and relaxed you are with what is in front of you. You probably already know this, but it is a blessing to your family to see you with this type of attitude. I'm sure it alleviates them.

I read some of your web page, and I couldn't help but notice your line about the surgery tomorrow that starts "I have the easy part tomorrow: I just have to go to sleep and wake up." That is exactly what I said to my loved ones before my surgery. They all seemed more worried and concerned then I was, and I tried to comfort them by saying those same words. I think it really put them at ease knowing that I had a good grip on the situation, and that I was confident in my ability to get through it.

If you read this before your surgery, just know that I will be praying for you. If you see it afterwards, have a quick recovery!!

Bobby

[Fed]

Best of luck tomorrow, dude. Looking forward to hearing from you next time.

[NavyHoldi99]

quick update...

Just wanted to bump my post and give you all a quick update. I'm heading in for my RPLND in the morning...a 0530 showtime. They have it slated for 6.5 hours...so it should be a good time for all!

I have a caringbridge website set up that my wife, Andrea, will update tomorrow when she gets the chance. Feel free to swing by and see what the good word is! If nothing else...hit refresh a few times in a row to bump the total number of hits up and make me feel loved!

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brettholdiman

Take care and see you this weekend!

I'm out!